Colombia qualifies for 2018 World Cup in Russia with draw in Peru

Colombia’s national soccer team on Tuesday qualified for next year’s World Cup in Russia with a hard fought 1-1 draw against Peru in the final round of matches in the CONMEBOL South American campaign.

In a dramatic night of action across the continent, Colombia joined Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina in qualifying directly to world soccer’s most prestigious showpiece.

A second half goal from Bayern Munich’s James Rodriguez was cancelled out by the conversion of a free kick by veteran Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero, the draw meaning that Peru will now go forward to play New Zealand in an inter-confederation play-off in November.

While Colombia continued to be compact in defense, the concession of a free kick on the edge of the box in the 75th minute proved to be decisive.

Despite the referee indicating that the free was indirect, a powerful strike from Flamengo’s Guerrero took a touch from Ospina en route to the Colombian net giving the the Peruvians a life line in their quest to secure fifth place in the group.

With news of other results filtering into the stadium, the closing stages played out in tentative fashion with both sides almost assured of their fates.

In a bizarre final two minutes, Peru stroked the ball around the middle of the field unopposed by the Colombians as the two sides apparently settled for the draw.

Colombia coach Pekerman, who shipped a lot of criticism after the team’s failure to secure a World Cup berth last week after squandering a lead against Paraguay will breath a sigh of relief after leading the team to back-to-back World Cups.

Record goalscorer and captain Falcao, who cruelly missed the 2014 World Cup through injury could not hide his emotion post match.

“The truth is that I want to thank God. I missed the World Cup in Brazil. Then I spent two horrible years, but now I can reach Russia,” said “El Tigre” to reporters.

With the play-offs and the final round of games in the African qualifiers scheduled for November, the Monaco star will have to wait until December 1st for the draw for the group stages of the World Cup in Russia 2018.

Colombia qualifies for 2018 World Cup in Russia with draw in Peru was last modified: October 11th, 2017 by Stephen Gill

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